Florida assistant coach says Alabama's Nick Saban is `the devil'

Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis of Castro Valley called Alabama coach Nick Saban "the devil himself" during a booster club meeting Tuesday.

Davis was comparing Saban to Florida head coach Will Muschamp when he made the remark. Davis and Muschamp were once both assistant coaches under Saban with the Miami Dolphins.

"I've always wanted to work with Will (Muschamp)," Davis said. "Will's got a plan. Will coached under the devil himself for seven years. I only did three. He did seven. And his DNA is not any different than Nick."

Davis isn't the first SEC coach to make a devilish comment about Saban. Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin referred to Saban as "Nicky Satan" at a banquet four months ago. Franklin later apologized.

Davis also told the audience at the banquet that Muschamp is much more pleasant to be around than Saban.

"(Muschamp)'s like the other guy, but he's got a personality," Davis said. "He'll smile at you. He'll talk to you. You understand? That's what he's all about. That's Will. I'm proud to work for him."

Davis was an offensive lineman at Chabot College in the late '70s and played briefly in the Canadian Football League and the United States Football League. He has served as an assistant coach for the past 30 years during stops that included USC, Alabama, Arizona, Utah and Wisconsin.

Davis joined Muschamp and Florida last season and established a running attack that helped the Gators got 11-2 and earn a berth in the Sugar Bowl.